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Kenny Cooper, A.J. Gray honored by ACC

North Carolina quarterback Chazz Surratt (12) runs against Georgia Tech defensive back A.J. Gray (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jon Barash)

Credit: Jon Barash

Credit: Jon Barash

North Carolina quarterback Chazz Surratt (12) runs against Georgia Tech defensive back A.J. Gray (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jon Barash)
By
Oct 2, 2017

After Georgia Tech’s 33-7 defeat of North Carolina on Saturday, the ACC honored Yellow Jackets players a third and fourth time this season as its conference players of the week. Center Kenny Cooper and safety A.J. Gray earned the honors as offensive lineman and defensive back of the week, respectively.

Tech coaches credited Cooper with 10 defenders blocked to the ground as the Jackets cranked out their third 400-yard rushing game of the season. Gray helped swing the game in Tech’s favor with two interceptions in the third quarter, helping extinguish the Tar Heels’ hopes for a comeback.

They were the second and third interceptions of Gray’s career.

For both Cooper and Gray, they were the first ACC honors of their careers.

Tech quarterback TaQuon Marshall was honored as ACC offensive back of the week after his 249 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns in the double overtime loss to Tennessee. Left guard Parker Braun was named the ACC offensive lineman of the week following Tech’s 35-17 win over Pittsburgh for blocking 22 defenders to the ground.

About the Author

Ken Sugiura is a sports columnist at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Formerly the Georgia Tech beat reporter, Sugiura started at the AJC in 1998 and has covered a variety of beats, mostly within sports.

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